LHNC holds historic tailgate party

In observance of 9-11 and in keeping with the fall football season, Lawrence Hall Nursing Center had a tailgate party on Sept. 11.

The event marked an historic event, but it also was history in the making as cheerleading squads from Hoxie and Walnut Ridge high schools came together to lead cheers and interact with the residents of LHNC and children from Jelly Bean Junction.

Sonya Stocker, LHNC activities director, said both squads performed cheers and then walked through the nursing home and did a chant for Lawrence Hall. They also mingled with the residents and kids from the daycare center.

"The Walnut Ridge and Hoxie sponsors were just as excited as I was to see the two schools come together to do an event for our residents and the Jelly Bean Junction kids," Stocker said. "It was totally awesome."

The Hoxie squad gave the residents and kids megaphones to cheer with, as well.

"It was a pleasure to work with the Walnut Ridge cheerleaders and an experience that our girls truly enjoyed," Amy Privett, one of Hoxie's cheer coaches, said. "Maybe this could become a tradition ~ for the two squads to do some community service together."

Rachael Jackson, Walnut Ridge's captain agreed.

"We are just grateful for the chance to visit those in the nursing home," she said. "We could tell that they enjoyed it, too. It was good that both squads could come together and serve our communities."

Stocker said the event also included an opportunity for the residents to do some grilling.